A blog on issues affecting Australia's newsagents, media and small business generally.

Fairfax mistake costs newsagents

Newsagents have received advice from Fairfax owned IPS that they have been incorrectly billing for Trader Tag magazine since August 2012, giving newsagents considerable more commission than should have been the case.

Without consultation or consideration Fairfax clawed back the commission.

The Fairfax handling of the matter has frustrated many newsagents and created difficulties for some. The company’s poor management of the situation and the lack of reasonable consideration has damaged their reputation.

While there is a case for Fairfax recovering some monies, given the timeframe involved I think some middle ground approach would have been appropriate. That the company acted and then explained is poor service. It gives newsagents another reason to consider closing their IPS account.